On November 12, 2011, Madonna held a special audition for thirteen finalists of which she would choose one to join her on her next tour. I felt like literally everyone I knew won tickets through the fan club except me! But, my good friend Ernie, called about 4 days before the show and said his boyfriend couldn't go and I could use the ticket! Needless to say, I booked my ticket immediately and headed to NYC!

Fast-forward to the day of the show, some friends were in the wait list line and saving some spots, so we kind of went back and forth, eating, getting, food, etc. throughout the day. On our way to get some coffee, we stopped to take some pics in front of the venue at Roseland....

We had started to venture on when we noticed a Smirnoff wrapped shuttle stop, and off came all the dancers and the choreographer of the event, Shay. Shay has been on the past couple of Madonna tours and is with her quite a bit throughout the year. I've met Shay several times and when I stopped to say hello and get a picture with the dancers, he was more than kind and introduced me as his good friend to the dancers!

So, endless waiting and we finally get into the Roseland Ballroom. We were right at the front of the line (at least in the beginning, but the amount of cutters was amazing!), so we got right next to the VIP area of the stage where we assumed Madonna would be sitting....

Free drinks... with Smirnoff Vodka of course... and more waiting... and the VIP area begins to fill up. Her daughter Lourdes and some friends were having a good time....

As well as her manager, Guy Oseary....

And her publicist, Liz Rosenberg.... who got all dressed up for the occasion....

And Shay of course!

They had a small pre-show, and with lights and excitement on the balcony, we could get glimpses of the Queen arriving and watching. At the time, we were kind of worried she would stay up there the whole night just out of sight!

She then left the balcony and disappeared. And then... she rose from under the stage in a spotlight and I had the same chills the first time she arrives to the stage in one of her concerts! (Yes, her thighs don't look the best in the pics, but it IS just the pictures, believe me, she is in phenomenal shape!)

She then crossed a small bridge and watched each of the dancers do their thing....

There is then a short break and she cavorts with the other VIPs.....

Shay and the group put on a special performance...

Followed by a dance-off....

And then she narrows it down to four dancers....

Another VIP break....

Then it's time to pick the winner... Lil' Buck From Memphis!

Lil' Buck was actually right in front of me in the group pic from earlier!

So, back to more mingling with Lourdes and the other VIPs....

Then dancing....

More mingling....

"Me and Madonna".... haha

And in a show of her power, she did some dance moves of which we all immediately copied and obeyed.....

And then off to the DJ booth.....

Nothing like singing Madonna songs WITH Madonna....

And so the night ended and off she went....

FYI, here is the front and back of the shirt I made for the show....

Even though I've seen her 20 times in concert, this night was truly unique and fun and to see her off script and having a good time! FYI, here are some press photos from the "other side"!